Situated in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, Fishmore Hall is the perfect spot for a peaceful and relaxing retreat

There’s a variety of spa hotels in the UK to choose from, but few are able to compete with the charm of Fishmore Hall. This hotel is a 15-room restored Georgian country house which tastefully combines the traditional with the contemporary - an ideal choice for romantic getaways, family gatherings, weddings, or a weekend of pampering.

The spa

Tucked away in the gardens of Fishmore Hall is the SPAshell. Designed with a natural wood exterior, the spa it fits perfectly well into the rural setting of the hotel. As my guest and I walked in, we were greeted by a lady who went through all of the facilities and provided us with keys to our lockers, where we found soft robes and slippers. The space around the lockers was a little narrow, but there were three private changing rooms for us to use. One of the rooms had its own a shower stocked with a few Elemis products, saving you the bother of going back up to your room to wash before or after your treatment. The spa itself was spotless, beautifully decorated, and had calming scents and subtle relaxing music in the background. As soon as my guest and I had changed, we instantly felt at ease and were in pamper-mode.

SPAshell garden with hammock and sun loungers

For a small spa, there was a good amount of facilities for us to choose from. The highlight for us was the cedar wellness pool – best described as a luxury wooden hot tub with mineral water. The temperature was comfortably warm and the water had a lovely faint aroma. We did have to concentrate when getting in and out and it seemed as though it could be difficult for someone who struggles with mobility. Having said that, there is a railing to help you if you feel a little wobbly on your feet. Once in the tub, you are presented with lovely picturesque views of the hills and farmland to look out on. We even caught a glimpse of cows grazing in the distance, which was a nice novelty touch for us city folk.

Cedar pool in the evening

Sadly, there is only one cedar pool in the spa and we noticed some guests were prone spending quite a bit of time in there, leaving you waiting a while for your turn. Thankfully, we were able to keep ourselves occupied using the other facilities, including a steam room, sauna, oversized hammock, monsoon drench shower and outdoor seating.

Treatment rooms

The spa offers a wide range of luxury Elemis and Lava Shell treatments to choose from, including facials, massages, scrubs and wraps, and manicures and pedicures. Prices range from £45.00 - £85.00. I opted for the Elemis Garden of England Rose Restore Massage for its hydrating properties. Before we went ahead, the masseur discussed the treatment with me and the different options I had. The combination of sounds, aroma, lighting, as well as the massage and oils made for a blissful experience. Though a little on the pricey side, I would happily part with my money to enjoy it again.

The rooms

We stayed in room five – a spacious a twin room which felt very boutique-chic in its design. There was no air-conditioning as you might expect, but we were grateful to have a big fan to use during the night. Our beds were spacious, supportive and felt very comfortable. In terms of the facilities, we had access to a kettle, small coffee machine, a mini fridge and a television, which were all nice little touches.

Luxury room

As you would expect from a spa hotel, our en-suite was big and luxurious and had a double-ended bath tub and a walk-in shower big enough for two. The tiles were lovely and really complemented the style of the room. The step into the shower could prove tricky for the less able people, as could getting in and out of the deep bath tub – though it wasn’t a problem for us.

Executive room

The food

The hotel provides a high-class selection of meals, offering an à la carte menu, tasting menus and brasserie dishes. Not being overly keen on seafood, my guest and I indulged in the three-course à la carte menu, priced at £55.00 per person, including petit fours. If you have conservative taste in food, or perhaps a less adventurous palette, there are some twists on classics dishes to choose from. I opted for the asparagus soup for my starter, the spring chicken for main, all polished off with the salted caramel fondant for dessert - all fresh, delicious and impeccably presented. We were well looked after by the waiting staff, who made sure our needs were met without being too attentive. A white extension of the restaurant provided stunning views of the rolling hills and the sunset, great for seating larger parties. The breakfast included a continental selection of cereals, yogurts, fruits and croissants to eat while waiting for your cooked breakfast. My guest ordered eggs Benedict, while I had a full English – both were delicious and faultless.

The area

The location of Fishmore is a sight to behold, especially for any city-goer. Ludlow, the nearest town, is just a stone’s throw away from the hotel.

Fishmore Hall garden

This quaint little market town is a food heaven and will certainly keep you well-occupied with its weekly market, delicatessens and choice of Micheline star restaurants. Though you wouldn’t expect it on first glance, Ludlow has some familiar favourites tucked away, such as a Tesco superstore and a Co-op petrol station, which come in handy if you’ve travelled a long distance.

Overall thoughts

If you want to escape the stresses of everyday life, recharge your batteries and eat quality food while enjoying the fresh countryside air, Fishmore Hall Hotel is the place to meet your needs. Any animal lovers can bring their four-legged friend along for the trip, too!